First, I have to say that I don’t play the guitar. However, I do have an interest in how they work. One day I would like to build one. Anyhow, I was in a music shop with my son (who does play very well) looking for a new amp. He does not want to spend much money, but I think that he will never be happy without the quality tone from an expensive valve (tube) amplifier. This prompted a discussion with my brother (who also plays very well) and he pointed me to Ampmaker.

Ampmaker supplies components and kits to build a valve amplifier. Reading his site, I was quite amazed how simple the electronics are in a valve amp. More reading followed. Notably:-

• 18 Watt Community Center
• AX84.com – The Cooperative Tube Guitar Amp Project
• Duncan’s Amp Pages
• Hoffman Amplifiers, Tube amplifier parts, tube amps, tubes
• Guitar Effects

Now after that reading, I probably know just enough to be dangerous. Not to be put off, and after reading some very positive comments, I decided to buy one of the kits from Ampmaker. A couple of days later, and I received a package.

The contents were really well packed. I should have got a picture of it, but I was too excited. In a flurry of flying bubble wrap, the contents were revealed and laid out for inspection. I had already printed out the instructions from the website, so I was good to go. Next time I blog, it should be ready to play, unless I forget to head all the warnings about the dangers of high voltage electricity.